Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)

Some days ago, serious concerns were expressed by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, IBEC and representatives of the construction industry on the future of Transport 21 and key transport infrastructure projects. Does the Minister share their concern that funding simply will not be available from 2011 onwards?

During the last minutes of the Minister's last Question Time, he was very upset about a reported delay of three years that is to affect the interconnector. He had met the board of CIE that morning. Has he found out why the 3.5 year timetable for the interconnector has drifted to 5.5 years, thus postponing the completion date until 2018? What is happening in this regard? Is the Minister convinced Irish Rail has the capacity to deliver the interconnector, which is to be a major development for rail transport in the eastern region?

With regard to metro north, when does the Minister expect the tranche of €500 million from the European Investment Bank? Assuming metro north gets the green light in the next couple of months, as most expect, major funding will have to be provided for the preparatory works late in 2010 and throughout 2011. Has the Minister any estimates on this and what has he done about it?

What is happening with regard to phases 2 and 3 of the western rail corridor and the completion of the Navan line? Are they being put on the long finger?

With regard to capital spending under the transport Vote, the Minister secured €3.1 billion in 2008, €2.4 billion in 2009 and €2 billion this year. In 2008, 67% of the allocation was spent on roads. In 2009, it was 72% and it is to be 68% this year. Next year the roads programme, including the construction of the interurban routes, is coming to an end. We expected at this point to be able to direct the major funding towards public transport provision. Is it now the case that the money will simply not be available?

Has the Minister had lengthy discussions with the Minister for Finance about the necessity to maintain a major transport capital budget? We are told by the ESRI that if we spend €1 billion on infrastructure, it leads to an increase in GNP in the order of €0.5 billion. The cost benefit is quite clear. We should make the investment. How far has the Minister got in this regard and what can he tell us about these projects?

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